AD/B767/123 - Fuel Tank Boost Pump and Override/Jettison Pump Wiring

Administered by Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts

Legislation au F2006B03304 Not in force Legislative Instrument

Select Document

Boeing 767 Series Aeroplanes

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.

AD/B767/123 Fuel Tank Boost Pump and Override/Jettison Pump Wiring

Applicability: All Model 767 series aeroplanes.

8/2000

Requirement: 1. Perform a detailed visual inspection to detect discrepancies, including the presence of splices, cuts, splits, holes, worn areas, and lacing ties installed on the outside of the sleeves (except at the sleeve ends); of the Teflon sleeves surrounding the wiring of the fuel tank boost pumps and override/jettison pumps, in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin (SB) 767-28A0053, Revision 1, dated 5 August 1999.

Note 1: For the purposes of this Directive, a detailed visual inspection is defined as: "An intensive visual examination of a specific structural area, system, installation, or assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at intensity deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc. may be used. Surface cleaning and elaborate access procedures may be required."

2. If any discrepancy is detected during any inspection accomplished in accordance with Requirement 1 remove the Teflon sleeves and perform a detailed visual inspection to detect damage of the wiring, in accordance with paragraph D. of the Accomplishment Instructions of SB 767-28A0053, Revision 1.

3. If damage to the wiring is not detected during the Requirement 2 inspection, install new Teflon sleeves in accordance with the SB 767-28A0053 Revision 1.

4. If any damage to the wiring is detected during any inspection accomplished in accordance with Requirement 2, perform a detailed visual inspection to determine if the wiring damage was caused by arcing, in accordance with paragraph D. of the Accomplishment Instructions of SB 767-28A0053 Revision 1.

5. If the wire damage was not caused by arcing, repair any damaged wires or replace the wires with new or serviceable wires, as applicable, and install new Teflon sleeves; in accordance with SB 767-28A0053 Revision 1.

6. If any damage caused by arcing is found, perform an inspection for signs of fuel inside the conduit or on the wires, in accordance with SB 767-28A0053 Revision 1.

7. If no sign of fuel is found during the Requirement 6 inspection;

Repair the wires or replace the wires with new or serviceable wires, as applicable, in accordance with SB 767-28A0053 Revision 1 and

b. Install new Teflon sleeves, in accordance with SB 767-28A0053 Revision 1.

8. If any fuel is found inside the conduit during any inspection accomplished in accordance with Requirement 6, replace the conduit with a new or serviceable conduit in accordance with SB 767-28A0053 Revision 1. Conduit replacement constitutes terminating action for the Requirement 6 repetitive fuel inspections.

9. Replace the conduit with a new or serviceable conduit, in accordance with SB 767-28A0053 Revision 1. Conduit replacement constitutes terminating action for the Requirement 6 repetitive fuel inspections.

10. If any wire bundle was removed and reinstalled during any inspection required by this Directive, retest the fuel pump in accordance with paragraph G., H., I., or J., as applicable, of the Accomplishment Instructions, of SB767-28A0053 Revision 1.

11. Submit a report of positive inspection findings (findings of discrepancies only), along with any damaged wiring and sleeves, to the

Federal Aviation Administration

Seattle Manufacturing Inspection District Office 2500 East Valley Road, Suite C-2

RENTON WA 98055-4056 USA

Facsimile 0015 1 425 227-1159

with an information copy of the report to Section Head - Systems

Certification Standards Branch Civil Aviation Safety Authority GPO Box 2005

CANBERRA ACT 2601

Facsimile (02) 6217 1914

The report must include the aeroplane serial number; the number of total flight hours and flight cycles on the aeroplane; the location of the electrical cable on the aeroplane; and a statement indicating, if known, whether any wire has ever been removed and inspected during maintenance, along with the date (if known) of any such inspection.

Note 2: FAA AD 2000-11-06 Amdt 39-11754 refers.

Compliance: For Requirement 1 - Initially either:

Prior to the accumulation of 50,000 total hours time in service, or within 90 days after the effective date of this Directive, whichever occurs later; or

b. Within 18 months after the effective date of this Directive;

and thereafter, repeat the inspection at intervals not to exceed 60,000 hours time in service or 30,000 flight cycles, whichever occurs first.

Note 3: If the Requirement 1 inspection was accomplished before the effective date of this Directive, the compliance interval (either hours time in service or flight cycle count) for the repetitive inspection commences when the initial inspection was performed.

For Requirement 2 - Before further flight. For Requirement 3 - Before further flight. For Requirement 4 - Before further flight. For Requirement 5 - Before further flight.

For Requirement 6 - Before further flight and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 500 flight hours, until the conduit has been replaced in accordance with either Requirement 8 or 9.

For Requirement 7 - Before further flight. For Requirement 8 - Before further flight.

For Requirement 9 - Within 6,000 hours time in service or 18 months after the initial fuel inspection specified by Requirement 6, whichever occurs first.

For Requirement 10 - Before further flight after the reinstallation.

For Requirement 11 -

For aeroplanes on which the initial inspection required by Requirement 1 is accomplished after the effective date of this Directive - Within 10 days after performing the initial inspection.

For aeroplanes on which the initial inspection required by Requirement 1 has been accomplished prior to the effective date of this Directive - Within 10 days after the effective date of this Directive.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 5 July 2000.

Background: This Directive requires repetitive inspections to detect discrepancies with the fuel tank boost pumps and override/jettison pumps wiring and surrounding Teflon sleeves; replacement of the sleeves with new sleeves in some instances; and repair or replacement of the wiring and sleeves with new parts.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the aircraft manufacturer have received reports of chafing of Teflon sleeves that surround and protect electrical wires inside conduits installed in the fuel tanks. This Directive is intended to ensure adequate protection to the fuel pump wire insulation. Chafing of the wire insulation could eventually result in exposure of electrical conductor, permit arcing from the wire to the conduit, and create a potential for a fuel tank fire or explosion.

The Directive has been issued as a Telex to align the effective date with that of the FAA airworthiness directive. This will assist the FAA to more accurately assess the scope of wire chafing on Boeing 767 aeroplanes.

Eugene Paul Holzapfel

Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 29 June 2000

The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 5 July 2000.

Overview

The Boeing 767 Series Aeroplanes Airworthiness Directive (AD) was enacted in 2000 by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) in response to reports of chafing on Teflon sleeves that surround and protect electrical wires inside conduits installed in the fuel tanks of Boeing 767 aeroplanes. This issue raised concerns about potential arcing from the wire to the conduit, which could result in a fuel tank fire or explosion. The AD requires repetitive inspections to detect discrepancies with the fuel tank boost pumps and override/jettison pumps wiring and surrounding Teflon sleeves, replacement of the sleeves with new sleeves in some instances, and repair or replacement of the wiring and sleeves with new parts. The policy objective of this directive is to ensure adequate protection to the fuel pump wire insulation, thereby enhancing the safety of Boeing 767 aeroplanes. The AD becomes effective on 5 July 2000 and is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on the same date.

Scope and Application

The Airworthiness Directive issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998 applies to all Boeing 767 series aeroplanes, mandating specific actions to address safety concerns related to the fuel tank boost pump and override/jettison pump wiring. The directive requires detailed visual inspections of the Teflon sleeves surrounding the wiring to detect any discrepancies such as splices, cuts, or splits. If discrepancies are found, the sleeves must be removed, and the wiring inspected for damage. Depending on the inspection results, the sleeves may be reinstalled, the wiring repaired or replaced, or the conduit replaced entirely. Additionally, operators must submit reports of inspection findings to the Federal Aviation Administration and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The directive specifies compliance intervals, with initial inspections required before a certain number of flight hours or within a specific timeframe after the directive's effective date, and subsequent inspections conducted at regular intervals. The directive aims to prevent potential fuel tank fires or explosions caused by damaged wiring insulation.

Key Provisions

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/B767/123 specifically targets Model 767 series aeroplanes and mandates detailed inspections and actions to address potential issues with the fuel tank boost pump and override/jettison pump wiring and the surrounding Teflon sleeves. Section 1 of the AD requires a detailed visual inspection of the Teflon sleeves to detect any discrepancies such as splices, cuts, splits, holes, worn areas, and lacing ties, as outlined in Boeing Service Bulletin (SB) 767-28A0053, Revision 1. If any discrepancies are found, further inspections and actions are necessary, as detailed in subsequent sections of the AD. For instance, Section 2 mandates that if any discrepancy is detected, the sleeves should be removed and a detailed visual inspection of the wiring conducted. If no damage is found, new Teflon sleeves should be installed, as specified in Section 3. If damage is detected, further actions are required, including determining if the damage was caused by arcing (Section 4), repairing or replacing the wires (Section 5), and inspecting for fuel presence (Section 6). Depending on the findings, the AD requires either repairing or replacing the wires and installing new Teflon sleeves (Sections 7 and 8) or replacing the conduit if fuel is detected (Section 9). Additionally, if any wire bundle was removed and reinstalled, the fuel pump must be retested (Section 10). Finally, Section 11 requires the submission of a report detailing any positive inspection findings to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Seattle Manufacturing Inspection District Office, with a copy to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The AD imposes specific obligations on the operators of Model 767 series aeroplanes. These include conducting the initial and repetitive inspections as specified in the AD, performing necessary repairs or replacements based on inspection findings, and submitting detailed reports of any discrepancies to the FAA and CASA. The inspections must be carried out in accordance with the guidance provided in Boeing SB 767-28A0053, Revision 1, ensuring that all steps are followed meticulously. Operators must also ensure that any necessary repairs or replacements are completed before the aeroplane is returned to service. Compliance with these obligations is crucial to maintaining the airworthiness of the aircraft and ensuring the safety of passengers and crew. Failure to comply with the AD may result in significant consequences. Although the AD itself does not specify penalties, non-compliance with CASA regulations can lead to enforcement actions under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and Civil Aviation Regulations 1988. Penalties for non-compliance can include fines and, in severe cases, the grounding of the aircraft until the required actions are taken. Furthermore, non-compliance can result in safety risks, potentially leading to accidents or incidents that could endanger lives and property. Ensuring adherence to the AD is therefore essential for the safety and airworthiness of the Boeing 767 series aeroplanes.

Area of Law: Aviation Law
Instrument: Legislative Instrument
Concepts: Definitions & Interpretation; Regulatory Standards; Compliance Obligations; Reporting & Disclosure Obligations

Interactions

Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.

Legislation content